An Taisce Green-Schools' National Walk to School Week is to start on Monday 11 May.

The scheme is a country-wide initiative which will result in thousands of pupils, their parents and teachers walking to and from school, to celebrate the environmental, health, social and financial benefits of active travel on the school journey.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD said: "Encouraging our children, at an early age, to consider more sustainable ways of getting to school, other than the car, is essential. National Walk to School Week makes walking all or part of the way to school a fun experience and teaches our children the health and environmental benefits attached to doing so.

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"This programme has been developing, year on year, and I am confident that this year it can surpass all others in terms of the number of children that will travel to school by foot during this week.

"Other walking initiatives undertaken by Green-Schools across the year, such as Walk on Wednesday Days, Feet First Fridays, ensure that the lessons we are teaching our children are being promoted year-round and not just for one week during the year."

(CD/JP)